Grimaldi, Gibson help U.S. win gold

Orange County product Rocco Grimaldi shook off a ragged tournament and delivered at the right time for the United States in the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Grimaldi scored twice and the United States again rode the stellar goaltending of Ducks prospect John Gibson to a 3-1 victory over Sweden in the gold-medal game Saturday at Ufa, Russia.

Gibson made 26 saves to clinch tournament MVP and top goalie honors as his .955 save percentage was the best ever for an American goalie in the world's under-20 hockey showcase. The gold is the third for the U.S. all time and first since 2010.

“For sure, it really hasn't sunk in yet,” said Gibson, a Pittsburgh native. “We just kept getting better and better and the team that keeps better and better throughout the tournament is usually the team that ends up winning the gold medal.”

Grimaldi, who grew up in Rossmoor and is a redshirt freshman at North Dakota, turned his tournament around by keeping the puck behind the Swedish net and then coming out from behind to spin and put a shot by goalie Niklas Lundstrom for a 1-1 tie.

Benched by American coach Phil Housley earlier in the tournament and dropped from the top line, Grimaldi continued to make amends by getting in the way of a shot by Jacob Trouba shot from the point that redirected past Lundstrom.

ERIC STEPHENS

The Register

TENNIS: Serena wins Brisbane, Murray in final

Serena Williams proved the break between seasons hasn't hurt her momentum, capturing her 47th career title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the Brisbane (Australia) International final.

Williams has won 35 of her past 36 matches. The Brisbane final was all over in 50 minutes with Williams dictating terms from the first break of serve in the sixth game. Defending men's champion Andy Murray advanced to the final when fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori retired with an injured left knee while trailing 6-4, 2-0.

Caroline Wozniacki cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Poland's Urszula Radwanska to open the Sydney International.

Richard Gasquet won the Qatar Open for his eight career title, coming from a set down to beat Nikolay Davydenko, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3, in Doha, Qatar.

Spain defeated Serbia, 2-1, to win the Hopman Cup for the fourth time in Perth, Australia. Fernando Verdasco and Anabel Medina Garrigues won the deciding mixed doubles, 6-4, 7-5, against Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic.

WINTER SPORTS: German lugers win fifth title in row

Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt won their fifth consecutive luge World Cup to maintain their perfect start to the season. The Germans clocked the fastest times in both runs on their home track in Koenigssee, Germany for their 15th career victory.

Miriam Goessner of Germany overcame two missed shots to win the women's 7.5-kilometer sprint at a biathlon World Cup meet in Oberhof, Germany.

Martins Dukurs of Latvia claimed his fifth skeleton World Cup crown of the season in Altenberg, Germany.

Joergen Graabak anchored Norway to an easy victory at a Nordic combined World Cup 4x5k relay event in Schonach, Germany.

BITS & PIECES: Rangers close to landing Berkman to be DH

The Texas Rangers reportedly are close to a deal with Lance Berkman to be their designated hitter. Berkman's deal is pending a physical, The Associated Press reported, because the contract wasn't finalized. Multiple reports said it would be a one-year deal worth at least $10 million.

Skylar Diggins scored 19 points, hitting big shot after big shot in the second half, to lift fifth-ranked Notre Dame to a 73-72 women's basketball victory over No. 1 Connecticut, giving the Irish victories in five of the past six meetings between the teams.

Rutgers running back Jawan Jamison has elected to forego his final two years of eligibility and Michigan State defensive end William Gholston is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.